#HackAroundBerlin Quick Walk Around Maker Faire Berlin

Still trying to catch up with real life and get the #HackAroundBerlin videos finished.

The main reason I was in Berlin was the firm I work for Pimoroni where running a stall at Berlin Maker Faire met lots of exciting makers and maker business with really inspiring projects.

  

This is  a quick walk around Maker Faire Berlin looking at stands hosted by Watterott, Elekor, Berlin Raspberry Jam, HackLace and many many more.   

#HackAroundBerlin Tour Of The Berlin FabLab

My #HackAroundBerlin continues with a visit to the Berlin Fab Lab. This place is a product developers dream with a laundry list of high end prototyping equipment, from 3D printers and lasercutters all the way up to a full on CNC mill.

Special thanks has to go to the guys at the Space Sylvester, Laslow, Rose, Erick and Murat for making me so welcome.

The main public area 

Wood working area

Heavy Metal Lab

Composites Lab

These are little Lasercut models that the FabLab created to give away at Maker Faire Berlin  

Evening At the Sheffield Hardware Hackers and Makers Hackspace and a Pot of Paint

I am part of a group of makers called the Sheffield Hardware Hackers and Makers (SHH Makers for short). Up until the beginning of the year we operated on monthly meets at various locations including Access Space. And then we acquired a new home at the Portland Works. Checkout my earlier post on looking at the space.  

Since then they group has moved forward into a Community Interest Company (CIC) acquired tools and equipment, and now is going though the process of 'Hacking The Space'.

I've been a member of the group for a couple of years and want to be involved with the renovation of the space.

The space has been cleared out and the ceiling has been re-boarded and painted it looking pretty smart now. 

Work benches have been installed with parts bins and some basic power tools.  

There is even under counter lighting with 12 Volt  led strips.

The members of the space have pitching together to raise funds for some of the more advanced equipment like the spaces new laser-cutter that is in its final stages of being installed.

 

There is even the SHHtv powered by a Raspberry Pi which displays the groups IRC channel with audio alerts for when some logs in and able to grab some ones attention with an 'OI!'. It also rotates through live bus, train and tram timetables.

There is always a couple of little reminders about working safely in the space and pro actively naming members who haven't been safe. Its done in a fun way bit keeps working safely at the front of peoples minds.  'DON'T BE A DONKEY!'   

I arrived just in time to collect a Chinese for the workers and have a good chin-wag about stuffs we are getting in to and the space itself.

After which we got on with some more painting for the next hour or so this was my bit, all white and shiny :)

I think getting involved with your local space is important and whatever you can do  even if its helping paint a wall is always appreciated, and has help me feel more part of the group. 

The SHH Makers are always looking for new members to share the space and ideas you want to find out more click here.

And you can also follow them on twitter.

The Challenge (Pimoroni vs Oomlout vs DoESLiverpool)

So in Sheffield we have just had an Open Source Hardware User Group event that brought a few makers, maker business owners, open source enthusiasts and social enterprises together.

Now after the event on Open Source Business we all adjourned to the Rutland Arms for a quick one before home.
Well that many Makers and Tech nerds in the same building it was bound to happen.  

A CHALLENGE between myself of Pimoroni,  Oomlout and DoES Liverpool 

The Challenge:

To build a device that can propel small light weight projectiles against a target. The ammunition can be chosen between from:

• Nerf Darts 
• Ping Pong Balls 
• Ball Pool Balls 

Design Constants:

Apart from of the shelf fixtures and fittings and available motors etc. the device can be made from no more then a single sheet of A0 (1200mm x 900mm) 3mm acrylic. Must be ready by MakerFaire UK.

Winning Conditions:

The greatest number of projectiles hitting against a target in 30 seconds.

I'll keep you up to date in my progress :) already have a few ideas